HARLINGEN — From power outages and major flooding to destroyed homes, Hurricane Ida left catastrophic damage in its path through Louisiana.
Days after making landfall on Sunday as a Category 4 storm, many Louisianans are now without shelter, food and other necessities.
In response, American Red Cross chapters around the country are deploying volunteers and employees to assist with the devastation Hurricane Ida created.
One of those chapters assisting is the American Red Cross South Texas Chapter, which covers the Rio Grande Valley.
According to South Texas Chapter Executive Director Dr. David Luna, the chapter has sent several of its volunteers and employees to help with Hurricane Ida, as well as the wildfires California is experiencing.
“We’re inclined to help by sending folks out there to assist with the sheltering, feeding, distributing water and anything we can do to help the victims,” Luna said.
On Wednesday, Luna said he hadn’t received the most recent count, but he heard on Tuesday that there were several deaths caused by the hurricane.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to help people and they can get on with their lives, but I think it’s going to take a long time,” Luna said. “It’s a major hurricane.”
The chapter is currently seeking help from the public whether it be through monetary donations or volunteerism.
“The financial part is critical because the Red Cross is funded by donations,” Luna said. “We need those funds to help buy supplies and materials that are needed for this recovery.”
Luna said there is an ongoing need for volunteers and there are always many different opportunities, roles and types of work volunteers can help with.
According to Luna, more than 2,100 people sought refuge on Tuesday in 38 Red Cross and community shelters across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.
As of Wednesday, the American Red Cross has two shelters open in southeast Texas for evacuees who left Louisiana due to the impacts of the hurricane.
The shelters are located in Orange, Texas, and the American Red Cross is urgently seeking event-based volunteers to sign up for shifts to work in the shelters.
Louisiana residents in need of assistance who have come to Texas are advised by the American Red Cross to call 1-800-REDCROSS for help.
Volunteerism
Luna said shelter workers are the type of volunteers that are very critical right now because of the hurricane season.
He explained that these volunteers are the ones who would be at shelters opened in maybe a school gym, church or large area where they could provide shelter, food, cots and blankets for many people.
“Our main role right now is folks that can help us at the shelters,” Luna said. “They can help with registration, feeding, distributing water and setting up cots, blankets and pillows.”
Due to the pandemic, Luna said there’s a need for health providers, such as nurses, EMTs and other certified healthcare professionals.
“Because of COVID, we need to do health screenings at the shelters to make sure people are OK so we need people to help do things like temperature tests and ask medical questions,” Luna explained. “The Red Cross is very careful when we open shelters. We want to make sure that everybody is safe — both our volunteers and people in need.”
Luna explained that the Rio Grande Valley is in the American Red Cross’ Gulf Coast Region, which covers South Texas through Corpus Christi, Houston and all the way up to East Texas in the Beaumont area.
“We’re all doing the same thing,” Luna said. “We’re all sending volunteers and providing assistance to the victims in Louisiana. There are many chapters throughout the United States.”
According to Luna, there are Red Cross chapters in Harlingen and McAllen.
“We’re always looking for people that can help us in our chapters,” Luna said. “We have volunteers that help us at the chapter to do clerical assistance, work in the warehouse or do inventory.”
Luna said as executive director, he is also looking for board members. Luna recommends anyone who’s interested in serving on the board to become a volunteer and apply to become a board member.
To make a donation to the American Red Cross’ efforts or to become a volunteer, visit www.redcross.org.
